A community monitor in Zimbabwe uses a mobile app to track elephants and predators, helping reduce human–wildlife conflict near Hwange National Park.
Villagers living near Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife sanctuary are turning to mobile technology to reduce dangerous encounters with elephants and predators.
Takesure Moyo, 49, is one of several community monitors trained under a programme run by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks). Each day, he cycles through his village recording animal sightings and incidents using a mobile app.
The data helps authorities respond quickly and issue alerts when elephants or lions stray from Hwange National Park.
Zimbabwe has recorded around 300 human deaths from wildlife in the past five years, according to Zimparks. Most incidents occur in communities bordering national parks, where crops and livestock are also frequently destroyed.
- Global Leaders Pressure Iran to De-escalate Tensions
- US to Issue Passports With Trump Image, Signature
- Suspect to Face Court After Attempted Attack at Trump Gala Dinner
Moyo, who once lost six cattle to lions, now works closely with Zimparks to identify “problem animals.” His updates, combined with GPS data from collared elephants, feed into EarthRanger — a real-time monitoring system used in 80 countries.
Officials say the tool gives communities crucial time to protect themselves and their property, especially during the dry season when elephants move towards water sources, or during crop-growing periods.
A related project tracks rehabilitated elephants fitted with collars, helping teams respond quickly to potential poaching incidents.
About The Author
